Overview

Culinary Crete

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Join Angela and Stelios to experience the wine, cuisine and culture of Crete
You'll love this tour if you like:
Fresh, locally produced and prepared food
Experiencing authentic local culture
Wine tasting, cheese-tasting, olive oil
Beautiful scenery and traditional villages
Local guides - Stelios is incredibly passionate about his island and its food, wine and culture
Stelios and Angela have run our walking tours in Western Crete for many years and one of the highlights of the trip for our walkers has been the superb cuisine served at their taverna in Kissamos. This positive response has prompted Stelios and Angela to organise an enticing new tour that is centred around food and the islands local produce.
Throughout the week Stelios' love of his island and its food, wine and culture is evident as he passes on his skills and passion in a relaxed, informative and entertaining fashion. Being a restaurateur himself he will ensure that all the food tasted is locally sourced and of the highest quality with an excellent variety of dishes that you will have the opportunity to try. This unique and personal tour is not just for 'foodies' but for anyone with a love for all things Greek.

Highlights and Inclusions

Departs 24 April 2018 & 2 October 2018

Return flights from London Gatwick to Chania including all payable taxes (Manchester & other regional flights may also be available, a supplement will apply)

Seven nights' accommodation on bed and breakfast basis at the Sunny Bay Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin room

Four dinners and five lunches

A recipe book to take home

Transfers on arrival and departure

Tour manager throughout

NOT INCLUDED

Single room supplement

Regional Flight supplement

Drinks and personal expenditure such as drinks, telephone calls etc

Porterage and gratuities

Travel insurance

Itinerary

Day
1

Fly from London Gatwick to Chania. On arrival, transfer by coach to Kissamos (approx. 30 mins) to the hotel. Tonight there will be a welcome dinner at the Cellar Taverna, situated right on the seafront. This well-established, family run taverna of over 20 years has an excellent reputation with locals and tourists alike.

Day
2

Morning cookery lesson with the afternoon at leisure. This morning we will have a cookery lesson at the Cellar Taverna, with hands-on preparation of traditional Cretan dishes such as tzatziki, Greek salad, delicious cheese and spinach pies made with local cheese, yemista and dolmades (stuffed vegetables) and kleftiko (lamb stew). Both lunch and dinner will be at the Cellar Taverna, enjoying the food that you help prepare. This afternoon is at leisure giving you time to explore the town and to visit the interesting archaeological museum.

Day
3

Morning visit to a rural village, home to Stelios’ parents. Today’s visit to Stelios’ parents’ house and their small farm in a tiny village in the hills, provides the opportunity to learn about traditional Cretan life and how it is still possible to be almost self-sufficient when you grow all of your own produce and keep some livestock. There will be some wine tasting, from Stelios’ own barrels, cheese tasting and the chance to taste some of his mother’s produce which she continues to make, grow, or prepare - these include Greek spoon sweets, walnuts, olive oil, raki (a strong Cretan spirit), honey, lemonade and even snails! Lunch today will be at a local taverna in the hills and the afternoon is free to spend as you wish before dinner at the Cellar Taverna.

Day
4

Morning visit to local producers. This morning we will visit a winery, a cheese maker, sweet maker and an olive oil factory where you will learn about the cultivation and production of these local products that play a huge role, culturally and economically in Cretan life. Lunch today will be in a taverna in the picturesque village of Deliana, which is also home to a beautiful 13th century church, which we have the opportunity to visit. This evening will be at leisure, (dinner is not included tonight).

Day
5

Full day visit to Chania. An atmospheric Venetian harbour town, Chania is set against a spectacular backdrop of majestic mountains and aquamarine seas. A turbulent history saw its occupation by the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese, Turks and Egyptians, but this has left behind a rich and captivating architectural heritage. We will wander the streets and alleyways of the old town to reach the bustling market where we will have lunch in one of the traditional tavernas. This afternoon is free for you to explore Chania further at your leisure. Dinner is not included this evening, giving the opportunity to stay and enjoy dinner in Chania harbour if you wish.

Day
6

Full day to relax or explore at your leisure. Lunch and dinner are not included on this day, giving you the opportunity to explore further afield.

Day
7

Morning visit to Crete’s botanical park. Strolling through the wonderful scenery of the botanical park we will learn more about plants, herbs, fruit, vegetables as well as plenty of fascinating local knowledge. Lunch will be at the Botanical Park followed by the afternoon at leisure before a farewell dinner at the Cellar Taverna.

Day
8

Transfer by coach back to Chania airport for your return flight to London Gatwick.

NB: Exact order or excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 15 passengers.

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Product Awards

Greece

7 nights

£1,250 per person

Flight

Departs 24 April 2018 from £1250 per person & 2 October 2018 from £1275 per person